Egypt's "Second" Revolution: Photographs by Yuri Kozyrev

On November 19, thousands of Egyptians took to Tahrir Square onceagain in what many called a “second” revolution—or even the “real”revolution. Within a week, the protest had spread to cities acrossEgypt, and the iconic square in downtown Cairo had again become aspace of war and protest, as protesters this time called for the endof military rule, and a final toppling of the junta that oustedPresident Hosni Mubarak left behind. Days of clashes betweenprotesters and Egyptian central security forces left more than 40people dead and nearly 2,000 wounded, and let activists and analyststo draw comparisons to Tahrir’s earlier days of fame, when thousandsof Egyptians occupied the square last winter to demand the end ofMubarak’s rule.

This latest unraveling came as authorities tried to clear the squarein downtown Cairo following a mass protest on Friday. Islamists andyoung liberals had gathered to protest a proposed set of"supraconstitutional" principles that would place the military largelyoutside the realm of judicial and parliamentary supervision, as wellas giving the institution wide veto power over the development of thenext government and constitution. But the ensuing clashes only drovemore protesters into the square.

Just days ahead of parliamentary elections on Nov. 28, the occupation of thesquare became a lynchpin of debate between Egyptian politicians,generals, activists and regular citizens on the best way forward fora nation in turmoil. Ultimately, the junta succeeded in holding theelection—a boost to their credibility as interim rulers—even as somecontinued to protest.

Voter turnout far surpassed that of previous sham elections, heldunder Mubarak, and lines at polling stations snaked around city blocksas men and women from across the political and economic spectrumwaited to cast their votes.

Monday's parliamentary election — the first relatively free,democratic race in Egypt's history, and perhaps the biggest bellwetherof a long and turbulent Arab Spring — rang in harsh truths for some, atide of satisfaction and new hopes for others. For the majority ofEgyptians, eager to elect a new government that they hope will liftthe country out of post-revolution turmoil, the vote was a tremendoussuccess. For the liberals, youth, and others who had hoped to usher inbigger changes through Tahrir Square, the vote signaled that a secondrevolution is yet to come.